Boethius — c. 1460; France
MS. Douce 352
Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Description
From Medieval manuscripts in Oxford libraries
This is an extract only. For more information, see the catalogue record in Medieval manuscripts in Oxford libraries.
Medieval manuscripts in Oxford libraries contains descriptions of all known Western medieval manuscripts held in the Bodleian Libraries, and of medieval manuscripts in selected Oxford colleges. Learn more.
Title
Boethius — c. 1460; France
Shelfmark
MS. Douce 352
Place of origin
France
Date
c. 1460
Language
Middle French (ca. 1400-1600)
Contents
Form
codex
Support
parchment
Physical extent
iii + 83 leaves
Decoration
Fine miniatureson the first page of the dedication and for the openings of Books 2-5. For discussion of the miniatures in light of the argument that Boethius is shown simultaneously reading books and conversing with Philosophy, see William Horn 'Women in (and) Between Men in Fourteenth-century English Dream Allegories', pp. 91-92.
Fine borders
Fine initials
Binding
Red leather with gold ornament (English, late 18th century)
Acquisition
Bequeathed to the Bodleian in 1834
Provenance
The arms at the beginning of each book show that the volume was written for a family bearing the arms, barry of six or and gules with a bordure of the same counterchanged. These are also found impaling the arms, gules eight bezants, two, four and two, both arms being dimidiated. Pächt and Alexander ( i. 712) note that these are the arms of Tanneguy du Châtel, chamberlain of Louis XI, d. 1477, and of Jeanne Raguenel, his wife
Francis Douce, 1757–1834
View full record in Medieval manuscripts in Oxford libraries
From Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts
This is an extract only. For more information, see the catalogue record in Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts.
Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts contains descriptions of the Bodleian Libraries’ archival collections, including post-1500 manuscripts. Some manuscripts with records in other catalogues are also described here as part of a description of a larger archive. Learn more.
Title
French prose translation of Boethius 'De consolatione philosophiae'
Shelfmark
MS. Douce 352
Summary
'... Le liure de Boece de Consolacion, lequel maistre Jehan de Mehun translata de latin en francois', preceded by a table of contents and prologue. This is the translation in verse and prose ('A-type') attributed to Jean de Meung. The arms at the beginning of each book show that the volume was written for a family bearing the arms, barry of six or and gules with a bordure of the same counterchanged: these are also found impaling the arms, gules eight bezants, two, four and two, both arms being dimidiated. These do not seem to be the arms of Giovio of Como as suggested in the 1840 Catalogue.
Date
written in the 15th cent.
Language
French
Physical facet
On parchment, with four fine miniatures with borders, some illuminated, etc., binding: red leather with gold ornament (English, late 18th cent.)
Physical extent
83 Leaves
View full record in Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts
Collection contents
French prose translation of Boethius 'De consolatione philosophiae'
